You have a consumer right to challenge tickets issued by private car parks, although it can be difficult to challenge a charge just because you feel it's too high. Instead, the general principles of contract law apply. This means that for a binding contract to be formed between you and the landowner, the rules about where and when you can park and what charges apply must be displayed clearly throughout the car park particularly at entrances.
A sign is misleading if it fails to make it clear what the parking rules are. If signs are misleading or deceptive, they might breach your consumer rights. It helps if you have evidence to support your argument - for example, if you took a photo of your car showing that you still had time left on your parking ticket after finding the charge notice on your windscreen.
You can defend any court action. For example, you may have stayed over the time you paid for in a car park because you were taken ill. For example, you may need extra time because you're older, disabled, pregnant or have a very young baby. Charging you a penalty because of this could be unlawful discrimination. Whether or not a charge is too high does not depend on the normal cost to park where you did.
When looking at a high parking charge, a court won't consider your ability to pay, but how reasonable it is for the company to charge what they have.
If you need advice or help to challenge a ticket that you think may be too high, you should get advice. You should first contact the parking operator, giving your reasons for challenging the ticket and asking them to withdraw it. You could also approach the landowner, for example the supermarket whose car park you parked in, and ask them to withdraw the ticket.
This might include, for example, a photo of an unclear sign, or paperwork showing that you sold the car before the date of the ticket. Below are two template letters to help you challenge a parking ticket for parking on private land. You may want to read both before deciding which one applies to you:. If a parking operator rejects your informal appeal, you may be able to make a formal appeal.
The way to appeal will depend on whether the parking company that gave you the ticket is a member of the British Parking Association BPA approved operators scheme. Members of the public who have a dispute with any parking operator can appeal to the IAS as long as the parking operator is willing to take part. You can use the service free of charge providing you make your appeal within 21 days of the parking operator rejecting your informal appeal to them.
If the company keeps contacting you, you can ask them to stop harassing you, and consider making a complaint. You can also report their behaviour to the landowner. If you are able to challenge the ticket , you should always do this as well. For example, you might complain because the parking operator sent you a final demand too quickly. Parking operators that are members of the BPA should wait 28 days before sending you a final demand.
Members of the IPC should wait 14 days before sending their final warning letter. Parking fees vary in Ireland and can be set and adjusted by your local authority. Rules Most local authority websites have details of parking restrictions and the type of pay parking in their area. Paying for parking The way you pay for parking varies, depending on where you park. Payment methods include: Pay and display : this lets you pay for parking by using a meter.
Hourly prices vary depending on where you park. Parking tag : this lets you pay for parking using your mobile device. This service is available in certain pay-and-display areas. More information is available at parkingtag. Parkbytext : lets you pay for parking in specific locations using your mobile device. Read more about how it works on apcoaconnect. Disc parking : lets you pay for parking by purchasing a parking disc in a participating newsagents or shop.
The disc should be displayed clearly on your windscreen. This service operates in some cities and smaller towns. Permit parking If there is on-street parking in operation on the street where you live, you can get a resident's permit from the traffic division of your local authority to park there.
Private car parks Private car parks are not regulated by the Government and revenue earned from parking there goes directly to the owners of the car parks. Parking restrictions Parking is restricted during business hours in certain parts of most towns and cities.
Parking fines There is a system of fines in place for illegal parking and non-payment of parking fees. Penalty points Some parking offences incur penalty points. Vehicle clamping Vehicle clamping is in operation in some areas. Tow-away system. Rates Different fines apply depending on where your car has been ticketed, clamped or towed away from. Rates in statutory areas public road, airport or harbour If you commit a parking offence in a statutory area, you may get a fine, have your vehicle clamped, or have your vehicle impounded.
Parking laws There are a number of laws and regulations that govern parking and clamping including: The Road Traffic Traffic and Parking Regulations, : provide for the general regulation and control of traffic, pedestrians and parking.
The Road Traffic Act, : which gives local authorities the power to make bye-laws governing the type of paid parking controls in their areas, for example, disc parking or pay-and-display parking. The Road Traffic Signs Regulations, : give local authorities responsibility for authorising regulatory traffic signs and designating areas where parking is restricted or prohibited.
The Road Traffic Act : provides for the system of fixed-charge traffic and parking offences. Section B of the Road Traffic Act, : provides for vehicle clamping. The Vehicle Clamping and Signing Regulations, pdf : set the maximum fees for clamping, re-locating and impounding vehicles in certain areas. Page edited: 11 October Related Documents Parking facilities for people with disabilities This document describes facilities in car parks around Ireland that are designed for people with disabilities.
Traffic wardens are responsible for enforcing the law relating to the illegal parking and stopping of motor vehicles. Find out about their responsibilities here. You can be taken to court for not paying a Parking Charge Notice, and there is plenty of precedent for companies taking motorists to court for unpaid charges.
In fact, ignoring it can make the situation worse. There have been cases where judges have voted unanimously in favour of the parking management companies. The courts upheld the parking charge that was in place and rejected a later appeal. The misinformation around parking Charge Notices has meant that parking management companies have taken an increasing number of people to court for not paying.
Parking Charge Notices cannot be ignored, even if you refuse to pay and want to appeal you must interact with them. At its simplest level, avoiding a Parking Charge means you miss out on the cheaper payment cost. At its most serious, it can see you being sent additional reminders before finally being taken to court. That alone can be stressful, and you need to consider the costs of legal fees in many cases.
This can often cost you more than the parking charge would, which is why payment or appeal are the best two routes to pursue. Not necessarily. In the first instance, the Parking Charge Notice is sent to the registered vehicle owner.
However, they can appeal on the grounds they were not responsible for the vehicle at the time. This is what is known as a transfer of liability. The parking management company can then pursue the driver for the parking charge as opposed to the registered vehicle owner. Yes, you can. It is irrelevant whether or not you are in the car — if your vehicle overstays or breaks the rules of the car park, you can be issued a Parking Charge Notice.
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